Sara Sutherland, LMSW

Sara Sutherland is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and major life changes. She also supports people dealing with caregiver strain, chronic illness, addictions, and intimacy or relationship concerns. Her aim is to make clients feel seen and heard from the first visit. She practiced social work after studying social work and psychology at Hope College and earning a master’s degree from Western Michigan University. That training led her into roles in private practice, health care, and hospice, where she worked with people facing chronic and terminal health issues, bereavement, and complex medical situations. In sessions she centers on genuine, straightforward support. She listens closely and helps people name what matters to them. Therapy focuses on practical steps toward change and growth, not on jargon or tests. Her approach draws from several well-known methods, including client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, emotion-focused methods, and mindfulness practices. Those tools are adapted to each person’s needs rather than used the same way for everyone. Sara emphasizes a warm, honest style in every meeting. She works to build trust so people can tackle painful topics like trauma, caregiver stress, aging and geriatric issues, or long-term health concerns. Her goal is steady progress toward clearer choices and greater emotional balance.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s experience and aims to create a nonjudgmental space where clients can talk through what matters most. This approach is helpful for stress, grief, and transitions when someone needs acceptance and steady listening.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect and teaches concrete exercises to shift unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and managing mood or coping skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, includes practical skills for regulating strong emotions, improving relationships, and tolerating distress. It can be useful when people struggle with intense reactions or patterns that cause ongoing conflict.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, needs, and preferences and then recommend which methods to try. That choice is collaborative and can change over time as progress is made.

Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when schedules demand, and reduce travel time so people can use appointments during a lunch break or between responsibilities. Ask about available formats when you schedule to see what fits your routine.